Caption: Image 5 of 7. Emperor dragonfly metamorphosis. Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) having emerged from its larval skin, following metamorphosis. Emperor dragonfly larvae (nymphs or naiads) live in ponds for 2-5 years. The nymph then crawls out of the water, and its skin splits, allowing the adult form (imago) to emerge (seen here). Its head (centre) and small wings (lower centre) are seen. These wings will be pumped up with blood and the abdomen filled with air, before the body dries and hardens. Dragonflies live as adults for a single summer. See images Z300/148 to Z300/154 for a sequence of the dragonfly emerging.